X i inclosed switch



Dec. 13, 19 27.

C. D. PLATT INCLOSED SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed AuE. 12, I922 INVENTOR ffllzwfi ATTORNEY C. D. PLATT INGLOSED SWITCH Dec. 13, 1927.

Filed Auz. 12, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR portan't in such constructions that the live Patented Dec. 13, 1927.

UNITED STATES CLARENCE n. PLA'IT, or BRInGEroRnoonNEorIoUT.

INOLOSED SWITCH.

Application filed August 12, 1922. Serial No. 581,853.

My invention relates to what are frequently termed safety switches. It is imparts of the switch be inclosed in a suitable receptacle which is so constructed that the ordinary customer cannot tamper with the circuits or make unauthorized connections.

In such structures it is nevertheless desir-e able to provide fuses which the customer can readily replace without the necessity of exposing the terminals of the switch.

The main object of my invention is to provide a simple reliable construction which can be made economically and which can be readily re-fused only when the circuit through the switch is open and the fuse terminals are dead.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an inclosed switcl embodying the improvements of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same, showing the parts in the closed circuit position.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the switch in the open circuit position and the fuse plugs exposed.

Fig. i is a perspective view of the main cover of the receptacle, and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a supplemental cover for the fuse portion of the switch.

In the particular form shown, an insulating base 6 of suitable material is provided which carries the usual switch and fuse ter-. minals. In this case I have illustrated very conventional stationary switch contacts 7 and hinged blades 8. The opposite end of the base is preferably higher than the switch end and carries the screw shell terminal 9 and center terminal 10 for the usual fuse lug 11. One of these terminals is connected by a strip 12 to a contact blade, and the other is connected to a binding post 13.

In the particular form shown, the switch is intended to carry both sides of a circuit and the two blades are connected by a cross bar 14 which carries a lug 15 which is connected to the operating member or crank 16. This crank may be provided with some suitable form of operating handle 17.

The inclosure or switch box may consist 'of the conventional body 18 of sheet steel or the like and a cover 19 adapted to be suitably secured thereto. This cover 19 has one or more openings such as 20 adapted to form a passage or passages for the fuse plugs. The base 6 and cover, however, are so constructed and proportioned that when the cover is in place accesscan be had only to the fuse plug terminals 9 and 10, and it is impossible to reach the circuit terminals or the switch contacts through the opening 20. V

Ordinarily the fuse a supplemental cover 21; hinged at 22 for instance to thedome or raised portion 23 of the main cover. Preferably a portion '24: of the main cover 19 is raised around the opening 20 and the supplemental cover 21 is provided with askirt or flange 25 which fits around the opening when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2, so as to prevent the entrance of dirt and insects to the receptacle and to entirely inclose the fuses when the cover is closed.

A locking bar 26 is also provided which may be conveniently secured to the supplemental cover 21 by means of one or more integral rivets 27. One end of this locking bar extends through a slot 28 in the raised portion of the cover and the tip 29 normally stands over a raised portion 30 of the operating member 16, as shown in Fig. 2, so that with the switch in the closed circuit position it is impossible toopen the supplemental cover 21. 'VVhen, however, the switch is thrown to the open circuit position as shown in Fig. 3, the member 30 stands clear of the tip 29 of the locking member and permits the supplemental cover to be opened so that access may be had to the fuse plugs for inspection or replacement.

With the supplemental cover open as plugs are protected by possible to close the switch without first closing the supplemental cover. It is also apparent that with the parts in this position, switch closing movement may be initiated by moving the operating handle 17 to the right. The raised portion 30 of the crank will then slide along the edge of the tip 29 of the locking bar 26, thus closing the supplemental cover, the relative position of the parts being such as to close the cover before the switch contacts are closed. The supplemental cover is thus automatically closed in response to closing movement of the switch without special attention on the part of the operator. It is thus seen to be impossible for an unauthorized person to obtain access to the circuit terminals or other switch contacts for any purpose. It is of course to be presumed that the lock or seal (not shown) employed for holding the main cover closed can be manipulated only by a responsible party to whom it is immaterial whether the circuit is opened or closed when he opens the box.

I claim:

1. An inclosed switch comprising a box, a cover hinged thereto along one side edge and having an opening in one end and pro-- vided with a raised flange around said open ing, an insulating base mounted within said box, switch contacts mounted on one end of said base, hinged switch blades co-acting therewith, an operating member mounted in said box'and connected to said switch blades, said insulating base having a raised portion extending close to saidopening in said cover and having plug contacts mounted therein in line with said opening, fuse plugs having their outer ends extending through said opening, a supplemental cover hinged to said main cover on a transverse axis and provided with a flange adapted to over-stand the -flange on said main cover, and an interlocking member for preventing the opening of saidsupplemental cover when the switch is closed and preventing the closing of said switch when said supplemental cover is open. r

2. An inclosed switch comprising a box, a main cover having an opening in one end with a raised flange and an inwardly inclined wall provided with a finger recess, a switch base mounted in said box and provided with a fuse plug socket in line with said opening, fuse plugs mounted in said sockets with their heads accessible in said recess, a supplemental cover having a flange overstanding the flanges on said main cover around said opening, a switch mounted within said box, and interlocking means connecting said supplemental cover and said switch.

CLARENCE D. :PLATT. 

